Lynda Bellingham Diagnosed with Cancer

Lynda Bellingham, who played the Inquisitor, has been diagnosed with cancer.

The actress, who appeared during the fourteen-part epic, Trial of a Time Lord (1986) opposite Colin Baker’s Sixth Doctor and Michael Jayston’s Valeyard, has been forced to pull out of Kay Mellor’s play, A Passionate Woman temporarily to focus on getting over the terrible illness.

She is, however, known for her wonderful upbeat attitude, and said:

“I’m devastated not to be able to honour my commitments to the play this year, but having toured many times before, I’m aware of the sheer stamina needed and I need to prioritise my recovery. That said, nothing’s going to stop me coming back next year, and I can’t wait to be ‘a passionate woman.’”

Bellingham is perhaps best known for starring in the Oxo adverts for the 1980s and 1990s, but has appeared prolifically since the early 1970s in shows like The Fuzz (1977), All Creatures Great and Small (between 1988 and 1990) and At Home With The Braithwaites (2000-03), the latter two of which also starred Fifth Doctor, Peter Davison. She’s also reprised her role as the Inquisitor in Big Finish’s Gallifrey audio series.

Please join us in sending our best wishes to Lynda and her family and friends. Get well soon.

When he’s not watching television, reading books ‘n’ Marvel comics, listening to The Killers, and obsessing over script ideas, Philip Bates (Kasterborous' former Editor) pretends to be a freelance writer. He enjoys collecting everything.
He is the co-founder of The Doctor Who Companion: http://thedoctorwhocompanion.com/